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Using computer is impossible without installing the necessary software. For the quick installation you can use the so-called “disk images”, i.e. the exact copies of the physical disks. In this case you just have to copy an image to one of your computers. Of course, all current data on the disk will be lost.
And what would you do if you need to install 3 or 4 new programs on each computer, without erasing the whole system? The second way is to burn all the distributives that you need to a CD then go from one PC to another and perform some routine actions such as clicking the “Next” and “Finish” buttons, Selecting the necessary check boxes in the dialogues. It’s not so hard to do if you need to install the software on 5 or less computers – so, you should have enough patience to perform the same actions on each computer. And what if you need to install 30 or 40 programs on 10, 20, 50 or more computers?! Imagine that you have to install these programs on a PC where the data mustn’t be erased. What would you do in this case?! In this article you will find the answers to these questions and will learn how to solve the problem of the automatic program installation!
To solve this problem we will use the special program which is called MultiSet. The unique feature of this program is the full automation of the software installation process! Using this program allows you to install the software package by clicking the “Start package installation” button instead of performing the numerous routine actions. When the “automatic program installation” is over, all the necessary programs will be installed as if you installed them manually, and the installation will take less time! Notice that you will have the double advantage of time: - First, it’s the program, not you, which installs the software. While it is being done you may have a snack or a coffee break.
- Secondly, the installation (the playback process) is much faster than the manual installation (if the “maximum speed” mode is set).
- Thirdly, the installation will be performed according to your plan because the program will never “forget” to install one or another program.
That’s the way the program works: at first you are to install the software manually, in other words, you should “teach” MultiSet how to install this program. In this case you don’t have to write even a line of code! After that, if you want to install this program later, you just need to click the “Playback” button and MultiSet will begin the installation and will repeat all your actions performed during the program installation recording!
Let’s pass on to the installation package creation.
Step 1. Preparation.
Run MultiSet.
The main window of MultiSet looks like this.
Step 2. Installation recording.
Now you need to add the program distributives that will be installed automatically. To do this, on the "Package" menu, click "New package ...", or click the “New package...” menu item on the control panel.
“New package” dialog box.
In the appeared window select a distributive to install. After pressing the “OK” button the distributive recording process will begin, thus the selected exe-file is being executed.
Warning!
The recording starts when you click a mouse button or press a key. To stop the recording press the “Break” key or click “Stop record” on the “Recording control panel”.
You need to follow a number of rules during the installation recording process: Before using MultiSet you need to close all the applications. Never use the “Browse...” button to choose the installation path! Before running the automatic installation you need to completely remove the program using its own uninstaller or the one of the Microsoft Windows. Don’t forget to delete the program folder from the hard disk if it wasn’t deleted by the uninstaller. While inserting the long activation keys or choosing the installation path you are to set the cursor over the input field and press the “Break” key. The special “Pause” window will appear. Insert the text from the clipboard into the input field and click “Record” to continue the recording process. Usually after the installation is over you are offered to open a help file (txt, html) and to launch the application. Always clear these check boxes! Before the installation make sure that you have the Administrator rights if the computer is a part of a network.
Step 3. Installation playback.
To run the saved packages you need to:
- Select the necessary distributives in the list
- Click the "Install" button on the control panel or press the F5 hotkey.
During the playback the “Playback information panel” will appear at the top of the screen. It is to display the current state of the MultiSet functioning.
The “Playback information panel” displays the following:
- The number of the distributive that is being installed
- The total number of the distributives to install
- The total installation time
- The name of the distributive that is being installed
Step 4. Installation disk creation.
To create a disk, on the “File" menu, click "Create Universal Database”.
Choose a path where you want to store the data for the automatic installation, and then click “OK”. MultiSet will copy the installation packages and the distributives to that folder so that they could be used as standalone ones. After the universal database is created, burn that folder to a CD. The installation disk is complete!
Now you can install the programs anywhere and as many times as you want, you just need to insert the disk to CDROM or DVDROM and all the installation routine will be done for you by MultiSet!
Summary.
So, MultiSet is the program designed to record and playback the user’s actions. MultiSet reduces the software installation time to the minimum. The program copies all your actions during the playback so you should be very attentive during the recording. MultiSet will be a big help for you when you install and reinstall software again and again. Please mail your comments and offers to
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